The University Civil Service Merit Board was created pursuant to Section 36b of the State Universities Civil Service Act (Act) [10 ILCS 70/36b].

The University Civil Service Merit Board shall be composed of 11 members, three of whom shall be members of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Chicago State University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Governors State University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University, and one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University. The members of the Merit Board shall be elected by the respective Boards on which they shall serve at the pleasure of the electing Boards.